Art Docents: Heavy on Art, Light on Pocketbook

Organized by Maija Lahdesmaki (left) seen here with Vaishali Khandekar (right), Chair of the Los Altos Art Docents; the Fall Seminar was a motivational call to action, supplemented by key note speakers, Gonan and Johan Premfors, and Carla Brooke. Their therapies and techniques in ‘mindfulness’ help educators focus on student well-being to create a successful learning experiences.

Art Docents received praise from the new Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Edsel Clark. He offered the Art Docent program as proof the community’s “overwhelming support” for the district and went on to applaud the program’s important role in the “educational excellence of our schools.”

Chair Vaishali Khandekar continued in the same vein by sharing how hard it has been for her not to brag about being an Art Docent. She has tried not to enthuse about how wonderfully organized the program is; or that it is more than just art projects--art appreciation is covered too; how docents continue to learn and keep fresh with workshops, programs and field trips; how self-evaluation is built into the curriculum; and how new classes are always being developed. Her closing comment, “We strive to ignite an excitement for art because knowledge comes after enduring interest,” brought huge applause.

Last year 84 volunteer docents taught nearly 800 art classes in K - 6 for the Los Altos Elementary School District. The cost to the district for this program is minimal. PTA contributions are only $3.50 per child. This year, the docents are developing classes for the new Transitional Kindergarten classes, and you can view some of their own creative artwork by seeing it displayed at Pizza Studio on San Antonio before October 15, 2014. To learn more about the Art Docent program, visit www.losaltosartdocents.org.